In recent years, the development of nuclear energy has become a crucial point of interest to

policymakers and scientists alike. One method of generating nuclear energy that has gained
attention is using thorium as a fuel source instead of uranium. Thorium reactors are a safer,
more sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional uranium reactors. This essay aims
to analyze the advantages of thorium reactors over uranium and evaluate their potential as a
replacement for traditional nuclear reactors.
Firstly, uranium reactors were used over thorium reactors not because of their
effectiveness, but because there was already research into nuclear weapons, which could be
reused, and because plutonium was produced, which can be used in bombs. (World Nuclear
Association, 2020) Thorium reactors use thorium to produce energy in a way similar to uranium
reactors. Thorium cannot be used to produce energy on its own, but after receiving a neutron
from plutonium-239, it transmutes into Uranium-233, which is used to produce energy. (World
nuclear association, 2020) One of the best methods of making a thorium reactor is a Molten Salt
Reactor (MSR). These reactors use salt solutions as both fuel and coolant, meaning the boiling
point is higher. This means the reactor can withstand more heat and can produce more energy.
(World Nuclear Association, 2021) Uranium reactors work similarly to coal, by heating water so it
becomes steam, which then turns turbines. This is done via fission, which can be triggered in
many ways.

Fig.1: Model of a MSR, US Department of Energy Nuclear Energy Research Advisory Committee

Thorium is also much easier to mine than uranium. There are only 3 parts per million (PPM) of
uranium in the earth’s crust, while there is 10 PPM of thorium, meaning it is much cheaper to get.
(Health physics society, 2018) Not only that, the decay chain of uranium leads to radon-222, a
toxic, radioactive gas, which requires expensive ventilation to clear away. Though radon is also
released in the decay chain of thorium, the isotope released, radon-220, has a much shorter
half-life and is also produced in smaller amounts, since they produce less high-energy alpha
particles like radon-222 and 220, meaning less ventilation is required. Because radon-220 has a
shorter half-life, it decays quickly into less radioactive elements, such as bismuth in about one
hour. (USGS, 2004). Uranium also has to be enriched. 99% of the uranium in the crust is uranium
238, which is fertile, meaning it cannot produce energy on its own. (USDRC, 2023) Uranium 238
needs to undergo enrichment to become uranium 235, which is fissile, meaning it can produce
energy. Gas centrifuges are used to enrich uranium for both nuclear power and nuclear weapons.
The process takes advantage of the slight difference in mass between uranium-238 and
uranium-235 isotopes, with the latter being the desired isotope for use in nuclear reactions. Gas
centrifuges work by spinning a cylinder containing a stream of uranium hexafluoride gas at high
speeds, creating a centrifugal force that separates the two isotopes. The lighter uranium-235
accumulates near the center of the cylinder and can be syphoned off for use, while the heavier
uranium-238 remains towards the outer edges. This process is repeated multiple times in a
cascade of centrifuges until the desired level of uranium-235 enrichment is achieved. (USNRC,
2020) Thorium does not need enrichment and only needs one neutron from Pu-239, U-235, or
U-233, none of which are easy to find, though, with research, a reactor count creates energy using
thorium. Thorium is a much easier mineral to mine and prepare than uranium.
Thorium reactors are also much safer than uranium reactors. Because U-235 can create
energy on its own, in the event of a meltdown, there will be many problems, since the U-235 will
continue to produce heat and radiation. This is what caused events such as Chornobyl. With a
well-designed thorium reactor, a potential meltdown could easily be discovered, and the driver
material removed by having a plug under the liquid thorium which melts in certain conditions to
allow thorium to drain away from the plutonium, which leads to very little danger. This would
most likely not do much damage to the reactor, and only minor repairs would be necessary.
(Thorium MSR foundation, 2016) Even if thorium escaped, it would prove much less of a hazard
than uranium, since it is much less radioactive. (NIH, 1998). Uranium reactors also produce much
more waste, which includes radioactive isotopes of cesium, strontium, radon gas, spent reactor
fuel, and plutonium. (USNRC, 2019) All of these elements are toxic and are very hard to store.
Leaks into the environment are disastrous. Radon, for example, needs to be stored deep
underground to avoid it leaking into the atmosphere. Waste from thorium is less toxic than that
of uranium, and in some cases can be reused. (HAL, 2005) Additionally, it is much harder to
weaponize materials and waste from a thorium reactor compared to a uranium one. Thorium on
its own cannot be weaponized, so the only risk is the small amount of plutonium 239 in the
reactor. Waste produced is also fertile, meaning it cannot be used in weapons either. (Dylan Hem,
in Uranium for Nuclear Power, 2016) Meanwhile, both the waste and fuel of a uranium reactor
can all be weaponized by anyone who can get them, and knows how to make a bomb. Generally,
Thorium reactors are safer in cases of meltdowns, and are hard to weaponize.
Thorium reactors are also much more cost effective. Because of how easy it is to mine,
very cheap to do so. The current cost to mine one pound of uranium is 67.10 USD, compared to
the 66 of thorium. (Department of energy, 2015) Since there is less radon released in thorium ore,
less ventilation is required, making it both cheaper and safer. Compared to uranium, thorium can
also provide much more energy. Comparing the amount of thorium needed with coal, Nobel
laureate Carlo Rubbia of CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), estimates that one
ton of thorium can produce as much energy as 200 tons of uranium, or 3,500,000 tons of coal.
With a thorium breeder reactor, large amounts of fissile material are created as it runs, meaning
very little extra fuel would have to be added, as long as the driver is present. (RALPH W. MOIR
and EDWARD TELLER, 2003). Thorium reactors are clearly more effective and cheaper than
uranium ones.
 With so many advantages of thorium, some countries are developing thorium reactors.
China has been leading the way in developing thorium-based nuclear power technology, with
several thorium reactor projects currently underway. The main reason uranium was commonly
used earlier on is because of previous research about nuclear bombs that could be reused. One
such project is the Thorium-Based Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR) project in the Chinese city of
Wuwei. This reactor uses liquid fluoride thorium salt as fuel, which is less likely to melt down or
produce dangerous radioactive byproducts than traditional uranium-based reactors. (World
Nuclear News, 2022) Another project is the TMSR-LF (Liquid Fluoride) demonstration reactor,
which is expected to become operational in 2024. The TMSR-LF reactor will have a capacity of 2
megawatts and be used to test the performance and safety of the liquid fluoride thorium fuel
system. China's investment in thorium reactor technology stems from the potential benefits of
thorium, such as its abundance, improved safety, lower waste production, and lower risk of
nuclear proliferation. China aims to achieve commercial-scale thorium energy production by
2040 and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. These thorium reactor projects demonstrate China's
commitment to advancing renewable energy sources and highlight the potential for
thorium-based nuclear power as a clean energy solution for the future. India is also planning to
start the development of thorium reactors, as they have the largest amount of thorium reserves
worldwide, with 963,000 tonnes of it. (USGS, 2011)

Figure 2. World thorium reserves, Thorium alliance

India has one of the largest reserves of thorium in the world, and its Department of Atomic
Energy (DAE) has been researching thorium-based nuclear reactors for over 60 years. According
to a report by the World Nuclear Association, India aims to have 30% of its electricity generated
from thorium by 2050. (World Nuclear Association, 2023) Many other nations are also developing
thorium technology, and it is clear it may be the energy of the future. The use of thorium is
attractive as it produces less waste and is less prone to the risk of nuclear proliferation
compared to traditional uranium-based nuclear reactors. However, the technology for producing
energy from thorium is still in development and faces several challenges before it can be
commercially viable.
Thorium reactors have gained interest in recent years due to their perceived advantages
over traditional uranium-based reactors. However, there are several disadvantages to thorium
reactors that need to be considered. One major drawback is that thorium does not possess
enough neutrons to sustain a self-sustaining chain reaction, which means it requires a secondary
source, such as uranium or plutonium, to initiate the reaction. This process produces radioactive
waste that needs to be stored for thousands of years, posing a significant hazard to future
generations. Additionally, thorium reactors produce fissile material that can be used in nuclear
weapons, leading to concerns about nuclear proliferation. Furthermore, developing thorium
reactors would require considerable investment and infrastructure, which may not be
economically feasible. Therefore, while thorium reactors may have potential benefits, they also
have significant drawbacks that need to be taken into account. (World Nuclear Association,
2023)
In conclusion, thorium has several advantages over uranium when it comes to its use as
a fuel for nuclear power plants. While uranium remains the most commonly used fuel, it is prone
to several drawbacks, including a higher potential for nuclear proliferation, radioactivity hazards,
and waste management issues. Thorium, on the other hand, is more abundant, less dangerous,
and produces less waste. Additionally, thorium reactors are inherently safer due to the way the
fuel works, and the process of thorium fuel production is less complex and less expensive than
uranium. Despite the challenges that may arise in implementing thorium as a viable alternative, it
is clear that the benefits of this fuel far outweigh its drawbacks, and it has the potential to
revolutionize the way we think about nuclear energy.

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